Congestion Aware Hybrid File Transfer

ABSTRACT

A method of delivering audiovisual content to a viewer includes monitoring a viewer activity, prompting viewer to determine intent upon the occurence of a pre-specified event, identifying content for delivery based on a response from the viewer and selectively delivering the content to the viewer, wherein the delivery is via a broadband connection during a non-peak data traffic time.

RELATED APPLICATIONS/CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/831,136 filed on Apr. 8, 2019. Thesubject matter of the provisional application is incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is directed to television transmission and morespecifically to transmission over different media to a viewer.

A recently adapted television standard, ATSC 3.0 (Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee), provides for a hybrid delivery of televisionsignals. The signals can be delivered over different media. In additionto over the air (OTA) broadcast (first medium), this standard providesfor transmission over a broadband connection (second medium) to aviewer.

OTA interface is a traditional media for broadcasting to all receiverswithin a physical viewing range. Transmission over a broadband (ornetwork), on the other hand, can take place via unicast (onedestination) or multicast (multiple destinations).

Traditional consumer ISPs (Internet service providers), utilizingunicast data networks, are overwhelmed by video streaming traffic.During the peak hours (typically between 5 to 10 PM), video streamingcan consume as much as 90% of bandwidth. During non-peak periods,bandwidth is abundant and the marginal cost is effectively zero becauseISPs pay by bandwidth rather than aggregate packets sent/received.

What is desired, therefore, is a system and a method that leverage thefunctionality of ATSC 3.0 to provide viewers with options.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for deliveringaudiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The method comprises:monitoring a viewer activity; prompting viewer to determine intent uponthe occurence of a pre-specified event; identifying content for deliverybased on a response from the viewer; and selectively delivering thecontent to the viewer, wherein the delivery is via a broadbandconnection during a non-peak time.

According another exemplary embodiment, a method of deliveringaudiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The method comprises:monitoring a viewer activity; training a machine to learn viewertendencies based on the monitored activity; identifying content fordelivery based on the learned viewer tendencies; and selectivelydelivering the content to the viewer, wherein the delivery is via abroadband connection during a non-peak time.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a system for deliveringaudiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The system comprises: amedia source containing audiovisual content; a receiver located within aviewer premises; a communication network connecting the media source tothe settop box; and a system controller for facilitating delivery ofaudio visual content to the receiver, wherein the communication networkprovides content to the receiver during a non-peak time.

According to yet another exemplary embodiments, an interactive systemfor providing audiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The systemcomprises: a media source containing audiovisual content; a transmitterfor broadcasting audiovisual signals corresponding to the content overthe air (OTA) on a primary channel from the media source; acommunication network connecting the media source to a viewer premisesfor transmitting the audiovisual signals; a receiver located within theviewer premises for receiving the broadcast and network signals; and asystem controller. The system controller determines viewer intent basedon the OTA signals being viewed; identifies audiovisual content fortransmission based on the viewer intent; and broadcasts the identifiedaudiovisual content to the receiver in real time on at least onesecondary channel, wherein the content broadcast on the secondarychannel is stored in memory of the receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The several features, objects, and advantages of exemplary embodimentswill be understood by reading this description in conjunction with thedrawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify thesame or similar elements. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a method in accordance with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates another method in accordance with exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a further method in accordance with exemplaryembodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a system in accordance with exemplary embodiments;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the exemplary embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to an “exemplary embodiment” or“exemplary embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic as described is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, the appearances of these terms and similar phrases in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. The headings provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

In order to overcome the inefficiency highlighted above, exemplaryembodiments utilize efficient multicast transmission in conjunction withlocal storage. The multicast transmission and local storage may becombined with an insight or understanding of the viewer's preferences todownload content during non-peak periods. Such downloaded content can beplayed back locally during peak viewing periods.

In an exemplary scenario, a viewer may be watching the fourth episode ofseason 1 of ‘Program X’. The set-top box (STB) can determine her or hisviewing intent and download the remaining episodes of Program X forseason 1 from a network content server.

The viewing intent (of a viewer) can be determined in accordance with aplurality of exemplary implementations. A system for executing themethod or process steps described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 belowis described in detail further below with reference to FIG. 4.

In an exemplary implementation as illustrated in FIG. 1, an interactiveapproach/process 100 may be utilized. A viewer's activity (vieweractivity) may be monitored at 110. The occurence of a pre-specifiedevent may be monitored as part of this process at 120.

An exemplary pre-specified event may be the number of episodes of aparticular program that has been viewed by the viewer for example. Ifthe event has not occurred, the viewer activity may (continue to be)monitored at 110. If the condition has occurred, viewer intent may bedetermined by prompting the viewer for a response at 130. In the examplecited above, after a pre-specified number of episodes from season 1 ofProgram X have been viewed, an on-screen pop-up may ask the viewer if heor she wishes to view additional episodes from season 1 for example.

If the viewer response necessitates informing a program (or video)controller of next steps, such communication to the controller may takeplace at 140. In the example cited above, a logic engine in theset-top-box (STB) may communicate to a network content server or mediasource (via the controller) that remaining episodes of Program X need tobe downloaded for local storage. The network content server orcontroller may determine if the most efficient file delivery is over themulticast network or downloading over a unicast ISP connection at 150.

A unicast download may take place if only one viewer intents or desiresto watch a particular program. A multicast download may take place ifthe viewing habits or intentions of multiple viewers indicates that aparticular program (and number of episodes) needs to be downloaded tomultiple viewers.

If the viewer response (at 130) indicates that no additional steps arenecessary (a user responds that he or she does not wish to viewadditional episodes for example), then additional action may not benecessary and the process continues to 170.

In another exemplary implementation, an automated approach/process 200may be utilized as illustrated in FIG. 2. Process 200 is similar toprocess 100 (steps 105, 110, 120, 140, 150, 160 and 170 of FIG. 1corresponds to steps 205, 210, 220, 240, 250, 260 and 270 of FIG. 2).The exception is that a viewer is not being prompted to indicate viewerintent (corresponding to step 130). The occurence of a pre-specifiedevent at 220 may determine the remaining steps as highlighted in processsteps 240 to 270.

In a further exemplary implementation, a machine learning process 300may be utilized as illustrated inf FIG. 3. A viewer may be identied at310. The identified viewer's profile may be analyzed at 320. The profileof the viewer may have been built or developed over a period of timebased on viewer's previous viewing habits. The profile may have beenbuilt using lerning techniques incorporating artificial intelligence.

Upon analyzing the viewing habits, the type of programming that islikely to be viewed may be identified at 330. One type of programmingthat is identified may be more episodes of a program that is beingviewed for example. Another type of programming that is identified maybe a similar types of program(s). The identified programming may becommunicated to the controller at 340.

The controller may determine if the most efficient file delivery is overthe multicast network or downloading over a unicast ISP connection at350 as described above. The identified content using the determined formof delivery is delivered at 360.

In this implementation, an error may also be calculated by comparing theactual number of downloaded episodes viewed with the total number ofdownloaded episodes. The machine learning may adjust the estimate basedon the calculated error.

As with the interactive and automated approaches described above, theSTB may communicate to the network that the remaining episodes (ofseason 1 for example) should be downloaded and the downloaded episodeswill be stored locally. A determination may be made by the networkcontent server or controller as to whether file delivery is over amulticast network or over a unicast ISP connection.

If the viewer is a first time viewer or one without a pre-determinedamount of viewing activity, process 100 or 200 may be more appropriate.

Unlike the interactive and automated implementations described above,the machine learning implementation may be more dynamic and evolving.

A system in accordance with exemplary embodiments is illustrated in FIG.4. System 400 may include a media source 410. Media source may includeprogramming in the form of audio-visual content/data. Media content caninclude non-live programming data such as multiple episodes of atelevision program for example stored in memory associated with themedia source. Media source can provide “live” programming as well.

System 400 may also include a receiver 440 located within a viewerpremises. A viewing device, such as a monitor 460, may be connected tothe receiver 440. Receiver 440 can be integrated within a set-top-box(STB).

Media source may broadcast programming (i.e. audio-visual content/data)over the air (OTA) using known techniques (not specificallyillustrated). The broadcast programming may be received by an antenna465 connected to the monitor. Antenna 465 may facilitate reception ofbroadcast signals for display on monitor 460 utilizing known methods.

Media source 410 can be connected to receiver 440 via a network 425 suchas the internet. A cable modem can be used. In some embodiments, thenetwork connection between the media source and the receiver can be afixed wireless network. The network can be implemented utilizing WISP or5G technology or the like.

The data from the media source can be communicated to a receiver via anIP-based unicast connection. Data from the media source can becommunicated to multiple receivers via a multicast connection providedfor by ATSC 3.0 standard. Unicast or multicast transmission may takeplace over network 425. While a separate network (425) is illustratedfor each of the viewer premises, a common network path can exist for atleast a portion of the distance from the controller to the multipleviewer premises. The path can then split up to individual viewerpremises.

System 400 also includes a controller 450 for providing theco-ordination and orchestration of the various components of system 400.Controller 450 is illustrated as being co-located with media source 410but need not be so arranged.

A viewer may interact with the STB via a remote control to indicate heror his preferences. Controller 450 may be a general purpose computerhaving a processor, a memory, a communication interface, a bus, etc.Controller may be programmed or configured to communicate with aSTB/receiver of a viewer premises. Controller can also control the mediasource.

In order to illustrate a potential multicasting scenario, multipleviewer premises (two in this case) are included in FIG. 4.

In another exemplary embodiment, an interactive system for providingaudiovisual content to a viewer is disclosed. The system can include amedia source, a transmitter, a communication network, a receiver and asystem controller. The media source can contain audiovisual content, Thetransmitter can broadcasting audiovisual signals corresponding to thecontent over the air (OTA) on a primary channel from the media source.The communication network can connect the media source to a viewerpremises for transmitting the audiovisual signals. The receiver can belocated within the viewer premises for receiving the broadcast andnetwork signals. The system controller can determine viewer intent basedon the OTA signals being viewed, identify audiovisual content fortransmission based on the viewer intent and broadcast the identifiedaudiovisual content to the receiver in real time on at least onesecondary channel. The content broadcast on the secondary channel can bestored in a memory of the receiver.

Primary and secondary (or sub) channels can be associated with aparticular frequency in a digital broadcast system.

In some embodiments, related programming can be transmitted to a userpremises using digital subchannels (i.e. OTA).

The hybrid multicast/unicast file transfer combined with local storageand time shift between downloading and viewing of video as describedabove overcomes the video streaming congestion experienced during peakhours. The reach and efficiency of UDP multicast (from ATSC 3.0) iscombined with the precision and reliability of TCP unicast. ATSC 3.0 isdesigned to maximize throughput in a closed loop system.

Although exemplary embodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications canbe made which will achieve some of the advantages of embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Suchmodifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Further, in the description and the appended claims the meaning of“comprising” is not to be understood as excluding other elements orsteps. Further, “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, and a singleunit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what isdescribed in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specificembodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized bythose skilled in relevant art.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, ifnecessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications andpublications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of delivering audiovisual content to aviewer, the method comprising: monitoring a viewer activity; promptingviewer to indicate an intent upon the occurence of a pre-specifiedevent; identifying content for delivery based on the indication from theviewer; and selectively delivering the content to the viewer, whereinthe delivery is via a broadband connection during a non-peak time. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying content fordelivery to a plurality of viewers based on responses received from theplurality of viewers.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:delivering the identified content to at least two viewers via amulticast delivery if identical content has been designated for deliveryto at least two viewers.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:delivering the identified content to a viewer via unicast delivery ifidentical content has not been designated for delivery to multipleviewers.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the occurence of apre-specified event comprises: determining if a number of episodes of aparticular program viewed is greater than a pre-set number.
 6. A methodof delivering audiovisual content to a viewer, the method comprising:monitoring a viewer activity; training a machine to learn viewertendencies based on the monitored activity; identifying content fordelivery based on the learned viewer tendencies; and selectivelydelivering the content to the viewer, wherein the delivery is via abroadband connection during a non-peak time.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising: identifying content for delivery to a plurality ofviewers based on monitoring activity of a plurality of viewers.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: delivering the identified contentto at least two viewers via a multicast delivery if identical contenthas been designated for delivery to at least two viewers.
 9. The methodof claim 7, further comprising: delivering the identified content to aviewer via unicast delivery if identical content has not been designatedfor delivery to multiple viewers.
 10. A system for deliveringaudiovisual content to a viewer, the system comprising: a media sourcecontaining audiovisual content; a receiver located within a viewerpremises; a communication network connecting the media source to thereceiver; and a system controller for facilitating delivery of audiovisual content to the receiver, wherein the communication networkprovides content to the receiver during a non-peak time.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the delivery is via a unicast connection to areceiver.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the delivery is via amulticast connection to a plurality of receivers.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the audiovisual content includes at least one ofimages, streaming video, text and sound.
 14. The system of claim 10,wherein viewer interaction with the system controller is via thenetwork.